Editing Arthur's Spelling Trubble/Transcript

''(We see [[Arthur Read|Arthur]] backstage at his school's spelling bee, looking very nervous)''

'''Arthur:''' Do you think everybody gets nervous before they do something important to them?

'''[[Francine Frensky|Francine]] (as Deborah Franklin):''' Benjamin, do you think you should do this?

'''Arthur (as Benjamin Franklin):''' I have to. ''(Lightning zaps the kite)'' Ouch! Ouch! I did it! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Heyyy! Ouch!

'''Arthur''': This is nothing compared to a lightning storm, so I shouldn't be afraid either, right?

'''[[Herbert Haney]]:''' Next, Arthur Read.

[APPLAUSE]

'''Audience:''' Yay! Yahoo! Yeah, yeah, yeah!

[TITLE CARD]

'''Arthur, Francine, and Prunella:''' Good morning, Mr. Haney.

'''Mr. Haney:''' Everybody ready for the Spellathon?

'''[[Francine Frensky|Francine]]:''' Well, the third grade has the best spellers.

'''[[Prunella]]:''' It used to, but now I'm in the fourth grade. I won last year with "endurance". Can you spell "endurance", Arthur?

'''Arthur:''' I...N...

[FRANCINE GIGGLES]

'''Prunella:''' Forget it.

'''Arthur:''' It's a good thing the third grade isn't depending on ME to win.

''(Transition to Mr. Ratburn's class)''

(Chitchat from Mr. Ratburn's class)

'''[[Nigel Ratburn]]:''' Quiet, please. Everyone, get your homework out, so I can collect it. An important announcement, people: on Friday, we will have a spelling test.

(the class gasps)

It will be a spell-off in Spellathon style. Study hard, because the winners get a special surprise.

'''Francine:''' What do you think the surprise is?

'''[[Buster Baxter|Buster]]:''' Maybe the winner doesn't have to do homework for the rest of the year.

'''[[Alan Powers|Brain]]:''' If it means less homework, I want to win. I'm going to study extra-hard.

'''Francine:''' Me, too.

''(Transition to Francine's room)''

'''Francine:''' Oh! I knew I forgot something. There. Now I can really concentrate.

'''Brain:''' A-N-T-I-D... Er...

'''[[Mr. Powers]]:''' What word are you struggling with, son?

'''Brain:''' Antidisestablishmentarianism. I can't remember if it has five I's or six.

'''Mr. Powers:''' Maybe you should skip down to "antidote".

''(Transition to Muffy's room)''

'''Computer:''' Dog.

'''[[Muffy]]:''' D-O-G.

'''Computer:''' Muffy...you're...a...genius.

''(Transition to Buster's apartment)''

'''Buster:''' [HE YAWNS] Hey! That's it! This oughta do it.

''(Transition to Arthur's downstairs kitchen)''

'''[[David Read]]:''' [HE HUMS WHILE MAKING A SCULPTURE]

'''Arthur:''' Dad, this song fits the letters of the first word on my spelling list. A-A-R-D-V-A-R-K...

'''Arthur and David Read (BOTH):''' A-A-R-D-V-A-R-K!

''(Transition to Arthur's clubhouse)''

'''Arthur:''' A-A-R-D-V-A-R-K! A-A-R-D-V-A-R-K! A-A-R-D...

'''[[D.W. Read|D.W.]]:''' V-A-R-K!

'''Arthur:''' Don't bother me D.W., I'm studying!

'''D.W.:''' Oh that's what you call it! I thought you had ants in your pants.

'''Arthur:''' Go away.

'''D.W.:''' All right. What a grouch!

'''Arthur:''' A-A-R-D-V-A-R-K! A-A-R-D-V-A-R-K!

'''Buster:''' [STRAINING]

'''Arthur''': I said don't bother...

'''Buster:''' Huh?

'''Arthur:''' Oh, hi, Buster! Done studying?

'''Buster:''' Don't have to. I have this. My good luck C-H-A-R-M - charm. Wanna go to the arcade?

'''Arthur:''' I should probably study some more.

'''Buster:''' If you know it now, is one more hour really gonna help?

'''Arthur:''' Maybe you're right. It doesn't feel like I'm getting any better at it.

'''Buster:''' Face it, pal, some people are born spellers. You're more the..."go have fun" type. They've got the jet game that flips you upside down.

'''Arthur:''' Okay.

''(Transition to the next day at school)''

'''Buster:''' You ready for the test, Arthur?

'''Arthur:''' The test!

'''Francine:''' How much did you study? I woke up early to squeeze in more study time. I know this whole book, even the publisher's address.

'''Arthur:''' Buster and I went to the arcade and I forgot to finish studying.

'''Ratburn:''' Okay, everyone. Line up for the spelling bee. ...That is incorrect. You may sit down. Jenna, please spell "essential".

'''Arthur (in his thoughts):''' What am I gonna do, what am I gonna do?! Maybe if I lean against the heater, maybe my temperature will go up and I can go to the nurse!

'''Ratburn:''' Arthur, perhaps you can be the first not to get knocked out by this. 'Aardvark'.

'''Arthur:''' A-A-R-D-V-A-R-K!

'''Francine:''' (laughs)

'''Ratburn:''' Thank you for the entertainment, Arthur! Francine, spell "pleasant".

'''Francine:''' Pleasant - P-L-E-A-S-E-N-T.

'''Ratburn:''' No, I'm sorry.

'''Francine:''' What kind of stupid word is that? Pleasant!

'''Ratburn:''' Arthur and the Brain are our winners! And the surprise you’ve won is to represent our class in the All-school Spellathon.

[THE CLASS CHEERS]

'''Arthur:''' Mr. Ratburn, I don't think I should be in the Spellathon.

'''Ratburn:''' You earned the honor, Arthur.

'''Arthur:''' Yeah, but the thing is, I don't know how to spell anything. A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G. See? I just knew that one word.

'''Ratburn:''' Did you study?

'''Arthur:''' Sort of. N-No. Not really.

'''Ratburn:''' It will take some study, but if you really work at it, I know you can do well.

'''Arthur:''' You do?

''(Transition to the Read house)''

'''Arthur:''' And Mr. Ratburn thinks I can do it. I have a lot of studying to do. I have a list of a 100 words to learn.

'''D.W.:''' That's only 92 more than you know now.

'''[[Jane Read]]:''' D.W.! We'll help any way we can, Arthur.

[D.W. SNEAKS NEAR ARTHUR'S ROOM, THE DOOR CREAKS]

'''Arthur:''' E-L-E-P-H-A-N-T - elephant.

'''Jane Read:''' D.W.!

[D.W. GASPS]

'''Jane Read:''' How about some ice cream?

'''D.W.:''' Are you bribing me?

'''Jane Read:''' [SHE CHUCKLES] Yes.

'''D.W.:''' Okay.

''(Transition to Arthur's Clubhouse)''

'''Buster:''' Hey, Arthur! You wanna play football?

'''Arthur:''' I have to study. S-O-R-R-Y.

'''Buster:''' Sour?

'''Arthur:''' Sorry!

''(Transition to the Read's kitchen)''

'''[[Kate Read|Baby Kate]]:''' Nuhh! Nuhh! Nuhh! Nuhh! [GURGLES]

'''Arthur:''' My brain hurts. This isn't helping at all! I'm just not a speller.

'''David Read:''' Sometimes it feels like you're not getting it when you actually are. You want a snack?

'''Arthur:''' Absolutely! A-B-S-O-L-U-T-E-L-Y - absolutely. Hey! That's right!

[DOORBELL]

'''D.W.:''' I got it!

'''Francine:''' Hi, D.W. Is Arthur there?

'''D.W.:''' Sorry, Arthur can't come out to play. He's exercising his brain. But I'm available. I'm not a prisoner of MY vocabulary.

''(Transition to Arthur continuing to study while walking in town) ''

'''Brain:''' Hi, Arthur!

'''Arthur:''' Hey, Brain! How's the studying going?

'''Brain:''' Extraordinarily well! Now I'm getting some equipment for the computer program I'm writing in my spare time!

'''Arthur:''' Spare time?!

''(Transitions to the Read's bathroom as Arthur brushes his teeth) ''

[WATER RUNS]

'''D.W.:''' Spell "toothpaste".

'''Arthur:''' Toothpaste. T-O-O-T-H-P-A-S-T-E - toothpaste. Right?

'''D.W.:''' How should I know?

''(Transition to the Read's kitchen)''

'''Baby Kate:''' [Babbles] Glooba!

'''Arthur:''' Glooba. G-L-O-O-B-A - glooba.

'''Baby Kate:''' (looks stunned at Arthur)

''(That night before the Spelling Bee, Grandma Thora is fixing Arthur's bowtie)''

'''Arthur:''' I'm nervous. N-E-R-V-O-U-S - nervous.

'''[[Thora Read]]:''' You'll do just fine, Arthur.

''(Transition to Lakewood Elementary at the night of the spelling bee)''

[CONVERSATION FROM THE AUDIENCE]

'''Jane Read:''' You'd better get backstage. Good luck!

'''D.W.:''' Don't worry. If you lose, I bet Mom and Dad will let you live in the garage.

'''Arthur''': G-A-R-A-G-E - garage.

''(Backstage, the students are waiting for the spellathon to start)''

'''Nigel Ratburn:''' Today's the big day. How do you feel?

'''Brain:''' I feel fine! 

'''Arthur:''' I wish I were back in bed.

'''Prunella:''' They're gonna light the Spellathon torch. It's so exciting!

[AUDIENCE APPLAUSE AND CHEERING]

'''Mr. Haney:''' Welcome to the All-School Spellathon. And now, our contestants.

[AUDIENCE CHEERING AS THE CURTAIN OPENS, REVEALING THE CONTESTANTS]

'''D.W.:''' Go, Arthur!

'''Haney:''' Everybody ready? Good luck. Our first word goes to...the Brain. Spell "fear".

[BRAIN PAUSES AS HE NERVOUSLY SWEATS]

Brain?

[THE AUDIENCE GIGGLES]

'''Haney:''' Brain, spell "fear".

'''Brain:''' Fear. F-E-R-E - fear.

'''Haney:''' I'm sorry. That's incorrect.

'''Brain:''' Are you sure? What dictionary are you using?

[ARTHUR GULPS]

'''Haney:''' Spell "pieces".

'''Cat Girl (?):''' - Pieces. P-E-I-C-E-S - pieces.

'''Haney:''' No, I'm sorry.

'''Cat Girl (?):''' I before E except after C, I before E except after C...

'''Haney:''' The word is "champion".

'''Prunella:''' That's so easy. I see it every day on my award from last year. Champion. C-H-A-M-P-I-O-N - champion.

[AUDIENCE CHEERING]

'''Haney:''' Arthur, spell "suggest".

'''Arthur:''' Suggest. S-U-G-G-E-S-T - suggest.

'''Haney:''' That is correct.

[AUDIENCE CHEERING]

'''Prunella:''' You can't beat me! Why don't you just give up?!

'''Haney:''' Prunella, spell "preparation".

[PRUNELLA PAUSES AS SHE AND THE AUDIENCE LOOK STUNNED]

Prunella?

'''Prunella:''' Could I have a definition, please?

'''Haney:''' Preparation – the process of getting ready.

'''Prunella:''' Of course. Preparation. P-R-E-P… (pauses) …E…R-A-T-I-O-N - preparation.

'''Haney:''' I'm sorry, that's incorrect. Now Arthur gets a chance. If you spell this correctly, Arthur, you are the winner. Preparation.

[D.W. BLOWS A RASPBERRY]

'''Arthur:''' Preparation. P-R-E-P-A-R-A-T-I-O-N - preparation.

'''Haney''': That's...correct!

[CHEERING, D.W. WHISTLES, THEN MR. HANEY HANDS THE TROPHY TO ARTHUR MAKING HIM THE SPELLING BEE CHAMPION]

'''Ratburn:''' Absolutely marvelous...

'''Buster:''' That was the most fantastic thing I've ever seen! Arthur, you’re the greatest speller of all time.

'''Arthur:''' You know the best part of winning is? It's over! 

'''Ratburn:''' Congratulations, Arthur! I knew you could do it!

'''D.W.:''' Yeah, but now HE knows he could do it.

(END)
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[[Category:Season 1 transcripts]]
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